LAMP FOR AUTOMOBILE AND AUTOMOBILE INCLUDING THE SAME

Abstract

A lamp for an automobile and the automobile are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, disclosed is a lamp for an automobile, the lamp including: a light source configured to generate and emit light; and a lens array provided in front of the light source. The light, which has been emitted from the light source, is emitted to the outside via the lens array and forms a predetermined beam pattern, the lens array includes a plurality of cells provided in the front region of the lens array, and stepped portions are formed at boundaries between the plurality of cells.

Claims

1. A lamp for an automobile, comprising: a light source configured to generate and emit light; and a lens array positioned in front of the light source and comprising: a plurality of cells; and a plurality of stepped portions formed at a plurality of boundaries between the plurality of cells, wherein the light from the light source is emitted externally through the lens array in a predetermined beam pattern.

2. The lamp of claim 1, wherein: the lens array is divided into a plurality of cell regions including first and second cell regions, and each cell is provided in the first or second cell region of the lens array, a first portion of the light emitted externally through the first cell region forms a horizontal center region and a peripheral region of the predetermined beam pattern, and a second portion of the light emitted externally through the second cell region forms the horizontal center region of the predetermined beam pattern.

3. The lamp of claim 2, wherein the first cell region is positioned at a horizontal center of the lens array, and the second cell region is positioned at both sides of the first cell region.

4. The lamp of claim 3, wherein the cells in a lower portion of the first cell region have thicknesses greater than those of the cells in an upper portion of the first cell region.

5. The lamp of claim 3, wherein the cells in the first cell region have thicknesses greater than those of the cells in the second cell region.

6. The lamp of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cells has a quadrangular shape.

7. The lamp of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cells has a rectangular shape.

8. The lamp of claim 2, wherein: the plurality of cells comprises first and second cells positioned in the first cell region and having the same vertical position, the first cell being positioned closer to a horizontal center of the lens array than the second cell is positioned, a portion of the light emitted externally through the first cell forms a first region of the predetermined beam pattern, and a portion of the light emitted externally through the second cell forms a second region of the predetermined beam pattern smaller than the first region of the predetermined beam pattern.

9. The lamp of claim 2, wherein: the plurality of cells comprises first and second cells positioned in the first cell region and having the same horizontal position, the first cell being positioned lower than the second cell is positioned, a portion of the light emitted externally through the first cell forms a first region of the predetermined beam pattern, and a portion of the light emitted externally through the second cell forms a second region of the predetermined beam pattern smaller than the first region of the predetermined beam pattern.

10. The lamp of claim 2, wherein: the plurality of cells comprises first and second cells positioned in the second cell region and having the same vertical position, the first cell being positioned closer to a horizontal center of the lens array than the second cell is positioned, a portion of the light emitted externally through the first cell forms a first region of the predetermined beam pattern, and a portion of the light emitted externally through the second cell forms a second region of the predetermined beam pattern smaller than the first region of the predetermined beam pattern.

11. The lamp of claim 2, wherein: the plurality of cells comprises first and second cells positioned in the second cell region and having the same horizontal position, the first cell being positioned lower than the second cell is positioned, a portion of the light emitted externally through the first cell forms a first region of the predetermined beam pattern, and a portion of the light emitted externally through the second cell forms a second region of the predetermined beam pattern smaller than the first region of the predetermined beam pattern.

12. The lamp of claim 1, wherein a portion of the light emitted externally through the cells positioned at both horizontal end portions of the lens array forms an upper boundary region of the predetermined beam pattern.

13. The lamp of claim 1, wherein: the predetermined beam pattern comprises a low beam pattern, and an upper boundary region of the low beam pattern has a cut-off shape.

14. The lamp of claim 5, wherein, in the first cell region, the cells positioned closer to the horizontal center of the lens array have thicknesses greater than those of the cells positioned further from the horizontal center of the lens array.

15. An automobile comprising a lamp, wherein the lamp comprises: a light source configured to generate and emit light; and a lens array positioned in front of the light source and comprising: a plurality of cells; and a plurality of stepped portions formed at a plurality of boundaries between the plurality of cells, wherein the light from the light source is emitted externally through the lens array in a predetermined beam pattern.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a structure of a lens array provided in a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a bottom view illustrating a structure of a lens array provided in a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a vertical cross-sectional structure of a first cell region in a lens array provided in a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a shape of a beam pattern formed by a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a view showing a region of a beam pattern at which light passing through a cell {circle around (1)} among a plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 arrives.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a view showing a region of a beam pattern at which light passing through a cell {circle around (2)} among a plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 arrives.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a view showing a region of a beam pattern at which light passing through a cell {circle around (3)} among a plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 arrives.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a view showing a region of a beam pattern at which light passing through a cell {circle around (4)} among a plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 arrives.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a view showing a region of a beam pattern at which light passing through a cell {circle around (5)} among a plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 arrives.

[0032] FIG. 11 is a view showing a region of a beam pattern at which light passing through a cell {circle around (6)} among a plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 arrives.

[0033] FIG. 12 is a view showing a region of a beam pattern at which light passing through a cell {circle around (7)} among a plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 arrives.

[0034] FIG. 13 is a view showing a region of a beam pattern at which light passing through a cell {circle around (8)} among a plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 arrives.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Hereinafter, a lamp for an automobile and the automobile according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

Lamp for automobile

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a structure of a lens array provided in a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure. Also, FIG. 3 is a bottom view illustrating a structure of a lens array provided in a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure, and FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a vertical cross-sectional structure of a first cell region in a lens array provided in a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure.

[0037] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, a lamp 10 for an automobile (hereinafter, referred to as a ‘lamp’) according to the present disclosure may include a light source (not shown) generating and emitting light, a collimator 100 provided in front of the light source, and a lens array 200 provided in front of the light source and the collimator 100. The light source may be a light-emitting diode (LED), but is not limited thereto. Also, the collimator 100 may be configured to make light, incident from the light source, parallel and then emit the parallel light to the lens array 200.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a shape of a beam pattern formed by a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the light, which has been emitted from the light source of the lamp 10 according to the present disclosure, is emitted externally via the collimator 100 and the lens array 200 and may form a predetermined beam pattern P. Here, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the beam pattern P may be a low beam pattern in which a cut-off shape having a stepped portion is formed in an upper boundary region. That is, the lamp 10 according to the present disclosure may be a lamp for forming the low beam. However, the lamp 10 according to the present disclosure may also be applied to a lamp for forming other types of beams including a high beam.

[0040] A micro lens array according to the related art has a structure in which a plurality of components including an entrance lens array, a shield, an exit lens array, and the like are sequentially stacked. However, this complicated stacking structure not only caused a difficulty in manufacture, but also caused a deterioration in the efficiency of a beam pattern because light was emitted after passing through the plurality of components.

[0041] In order to solve these limitations according to the related art, the lens array 200 provided in the lamp 10 according to the present disclosure may have a single layer structure made of one material. Thus, the present disclosure may have a simpler configuration than the micro lens array according to the related art. Hereinafter, features of the lens array according to the present disclosure will be described, which may form a predetermined beam pattern even though having a simpler structure than the micro lens array according to the related art.

[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the lens array 200 according to the present disclosure may include a plurality of cells 200a provided in the front region of the lens array 200.

[0043] According to the present disclosure, the light, which has been emitted from the light source and passed through the collimator 100, passes through the plurality of cells 200a provided in the lens array 200 and then forms a predetermined beam pattern. Here, according to the present disclosure, each light, which is emitted externally after passing through the plurality of cells 200a, may form a portion of the beam pattern. That is, the beam pattern formed by the lamp 10 according to the present disclosure may be a set of light beams which are emitted from the plurality of respective cells 200a and then arrive at the outside. Also, the plurality of cells 200a provided in the lens array 200 according to the present disclosure may be integrally formed with each other.

[0044] Here, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, according to the present disclosure, stepped portions S may be formed at boundaries between the plurality of cells 200a. Thus, according to the present disclosure, the plurality of cells 200a may be distinguished from each other by the stepped portions S. FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate, as one example, a state in which ten cells 200a are provided in the lens array 200 along a left-right, width or horizontal direction W while four cells 200a are provided along an up-down, height or vertical direction H. Thus, a total of 40 cells 200a are provided. However, the number and arrangement configuration of the cells 200a provided in the lens array 200 are not limited thereto. Here, the surface that forms a stepped portion S may have a curved surface with a predetermined radius of curvature.

[0045] Also, according to the present disclosure, when the lens array 200 is viewed in front of the lens array 200, each of the plurality of cells 200a may have a quadrangular shape. More preferably, when the lens array 200 is viewed in front of the lens array 200, each of the plurality of cells 200a may have a rectangular shape.

[0046] Here, according to the present disclosure, the lens array 200 may include a first cell region Z1 provided in one region of the lens array 200 and a second cell region Z2 provided in the other region of the lens array 200. Thus, each of the plurality of cells 200a provided in the lens array 200 may be provided in the first cell region Z1 or the second cell region Z2. More specifically, the first cell region Z1 may be provided in a central region of the lens array 200 in the left-right direction W, and the second cell region Z2 may be provided in each of both side regions of the lens array 200 in the left-right direction W. Thus, the second cell regions Z2 may surround the first cell region Z1 in both the side regions in the left-right direction W. More specifically, the boundaries of the first cell region Z1 in the left-right direction W may be in contact with the second cell regions Z2.

[0047] According to the present disclosure, with respect to the light emitted to the lens array 200 via the light source and the collimator 100, a region, at which the light emitted externally via the first cell region Z1 arrives, may be different from a region, at which the light emitted externally via the second cell region Z2 arrives. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5, light, emitted externally via the first cell region Z1, among the light may arrive at a central region and a peripheral region of the beam pattern P in the left-right direction W, and light, emitted externally via the second cell region Z2, among the light may arrive at the central region of the beam pattern P in the left-right direction W. That is, according to the present disclosure, the light emitted externally via the second cell region Z2 may form the central region of the beam pattern P, and the light emitted externally via the first cell region Z1 may form the central region and the peripheral region of the beam pattern P.

[0048] Here, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, according to the present disclosure, thicknesses of the plurality of cells 200a constituting the lens array 200 may be different from each other according to the regions in which the cells 200a are provided.

[0049] As one example, among the plurality of cells 200a, the thicknesses of the cells 200a provided in the first cell region Z1 may be greater than the thicknesses of the cells 200a provided in the second cell region Z2. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the lens array 200 is viewed from the bottom, the boundary of the front region of the lens array 200 may have a shape similar to a normal distribution curve of which the center in the left-right direction W protrudes the furthest in a forward direction. More specifically, cells 200a, which are provided in the first cell region Z1, among the plurality of cells 200a may have greater thicknesses as provided close to the center of the lens array 200 in the left-right direction W.

[0050] Thus, according to the present disclosure, the light passing through the first cell region Z1 is emitted externally while being relatively diffused in the left-right direction W, and thus may arrive at the central region and the peripheral region of the beam pattern in the left-right direction W. However, the light passing through the second cell region Z2 is emitted externally while being relatively less diffused, and thus may arrive at the central region of the beam pattern in the left-right direction W.

[0051] As another example, according to the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the cells 200a, provided in the first cell region Z1, among the plurality of cells 200a may be provided such that thicknesses of the cells in a lower region are greater than thicknesses of the cells in an upper region in the up-down direction H. This may be to ensure that the light emitted from the lens array 200 is moved downward. That is, as described above, the lamp according to the present disclosure may be a lamp for forming a low beam, and thus, the light emitted from the lens array 200 is required to move downward in order to form the low beam. Thus, according to the present disclosure, as the cells 200a provided in the lower region of the first cell region Z1 have the greater thicknesses, the light, which arrives at the central region and the peripheral region of the beam pattern after passing through the first cell region Z1, may move downward.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a view showing a region of the beam pattern, at which the light passing through a cell {circle around (1)} among the plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 arrives, and FIG. 7 is a view showing a region of the beam pattern, at which the light passing through a cell {circle around (2)} among the plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 arrives. FIG. 8 is a view showing a region of the beam pattern, at which the light passing through a cell {circle around (3)} among the plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 arrives, and FIG. 9 is a view showing a region of the beam pattern, at which the light passing through a cell {circle around (4)} among the plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 arrives. FIG. 10 is a view showing a region of the beam pattern, at which the light passing through a cell {circle around (5)} among the plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 arrives, and FIG. 11 is a view showing a region of the beam pattern, at which the light passing through a cell {circle around (6)} among the plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 arrives. FIG. 12 is a view showing a region of the beam pattern, at which the light passing through a cell {circle around (7)} among the plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 arrives, and FIG. 13 is a view showing a region of the beam pattern, at which the light passing through a cell {circle around (8)} among the plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 arrives.

[0053] As described above, according to the present disclosure, the light emitted externally via the first cell region Z1 may arrive at the central region and the peripheral region of the beam pattern P in the left-right direction W, and the light, emitted externally via the second cell region Z2, among the light may arrive at the central region of the beam pattern P in the left-right direction W.

[0054] Here, an area of a region of the beam pattern, at which the light emitted via one of the plurality of cells provided in the first cell region Z1 arrives, may be greater than an area of a region of the beam pattern, at which the light emitted via another one of the plurality of cells provided in the first cell region Z1 arrives.

[0055] More specifically, according to the present disclosure, with respect to two arbitrary cells provided at the same height in the up-down direction H among the plurality of cells 200a provided in the first cell region Z1, an area of a region of the beam pattern, at which the light passing through the cell provided relatively close to the center of the lens array 200 in the left-right direction W arrives, may be greater than an area of a region of the beam pattern, at which the light passing through the cell provided relatively away from the center of the lens array 200 in the left-right direction W arrives.

[0056] For example, referring to FIGS. 2, 6, and 7, when comparing the cell {circle around (1)} and the cell {circle around (2)} provided at the same height in the up-down direction H among the plurality of cells 200a provided in the first cell region Z1, it may be confirmed that an area of a region of the beam pattern (see FIG. 7), at which the light passing through the cell {circle around (2)} provided relatively close to the center of the lens array 200 arrives, is greater than an area of a region of the beam pattern (see FIG. 6), at which the light passing through the cell {circle around (1)} provided relatively away from the center of the lens array 200 arrives.

[0057] Also, for example, referring to FIGS. 2, 8, and 9, when comparing the cell {circle around (3)} and the cell {circle around (4)} provided at the same height in the up-down direction H among the plurality of cells 200a provided in the first cell region Z1, it may be confirmed that an area of a region of the beam pattern (see FIG. 9), at which the light passing through the cell {circle around (4)} provided relatively close to the center of the lens array 200 arrives, is greater than an area of a region of the beam pattern (see FIG. 8), at which the light passing through the cell {circle around (3)} provided relatively away from the center of the lens array 200 arrives.

[0058] Also, according to the present disclosure, with respect to two arbitrary cells provided at the same position in the left-right direction W among the plurality of cells 200a provided in the first cell region Z1, an area of a region of the beam pattern, at which the light passing through the cell provided at a relatively lower position in the up-down direction H arrives, may be greater than an area of a region of the beam pattern, at which the light passing through the cell provided at a relatively higher position in the up-down direction H arrives.

[0059] For example, referring to FIGS. 2, 6, and 8, when comparing the cell {circle around (1)} and the cell {circle around (3)} provided at the same position in the left-right direction W among the plurality of cells 200a provided in the first cell region Z1, it may be confirmed that an area of a region of the beam pattern (see FIG. 8), at which the light passing through the cell {circle around (3)} provided at a relatively lower position arrives, is greater than an area of a region of the beam pattern (see FIG. 6), at which the light passing through the cell {circle around (1)} provided at a relatively higher position arrives.

[0060] Also, for example, referring to FIGS. 2, 7, and 9, when comparing the cell {circle around (2)} and the cell {circle around (4)} provided at the same position in the left-right direction W among the plurality of cells 200a provided in the first cell region Z1, it may be confirmed that an area of a region of the beam pattern (see FIG. 9), at which the light passing through the cell {circle around (4)} provided at a relatively lower position arrives, is greater than an area of a region of the beam pattern (see FIG. 7), at which the light passing through the cell {circle around (2)} provided at a relatively higher position arrives.

[0061] Also, according to the present disclosure, here, an area of a region of the beam pattern, at which the light emitted via one of the plurality of cells provided in the second cell region Z2 arrives, may be greater than an area of a region of the beam pattern, at which the light emitted via another one of the plurality of cells provided in the second cell region Z2 arrives.

[0062] More specifically, according to the present disclosure, with respect to two arbitrary cells provided at the same height in the up-down direction H among the plurality of cells 200a provided in the second cell region Z2, an area of a region of the beam pattern, at which the light passing through the cell provided relatively close to the center of the lens array 200 in the left-right direction W arrives, may be greater than an area of a region of the beam pattern, at which the light passing through the cell provided relatively away from the center of the lens array 200 in the left-right direction W arrives.

[0063] For example, referring to FIGS. 2, 10, and 11, when comparing the cell {circle around (5)} and the cell {circle around (6)} provided at the same height in the up-down direction H among the plurality of cells 200a provided in the second cell region Z2, it may be confirmed that an area of a region of the beam pattern (see FIG. 11), at which the light passing through the cell {circle around (6)} provided relatively close to the center of the lens array 200 arrives, is greater than an area of a region of the beam pattern (see FIG. 10), at which the light passing through the cell {circle around (5)} provided relatively away from the center of the lens array 200 arrives.

[0064] Also, for example, referring to FIGS. 2, 12, and 13, when comparing the cell {circle around (7)} and the cell {circle around (8)} provided at the same height in the up-down direction H among the plurality of cells 200a provided in the second cell region Z2, it may be confirmed that an area of a region of the beam pattern (see FIG. 13), at which the light passing through the cell {circle around (8)} provided relatively close to the center of the lens array 200 arrives, is greater than an area of a region of the beam pattern (see FIG. 12), at which the light passing through the cell {circle around (7)} provided relatively away from the center of the lens array 200 arrives.

[0065] Also, according to the present disclosure, with respect to two arbitrary cells provided at the same position in the left-right direction W among the plurality of cells 200a provided in the second cell region Z2, an area of a region of the beam pattern, at which the light passing through the cell provided at a relatively lower position in the up-down direction H arrives, may be greater than an area of a region of the beam pattern, at which the light passing through the cell provided at a relatively higher position in the up-down direction H arrives.

[0066] For example, referring to FIGS. 2, 10, and 12, when comparing the cell {circle around (5)} and the cell {circle around (7)} provided at the same position in the left-right direction W among the plurality of cells 200a provided in the second cell region Z2, it may be confirmed that an area of a region of the beam pattern (see FIG. 12), at which the light passing through the cell {circle around (7)} provided at a relatively lower position arrives, is greater than an area of a region of the beam pattern (see FIG. 10), at which the light passing through the cell {circle around (5)} provided at a relatively higher position arrives.

Automobile

[0067] An automobile according to the present disclosure may include a lamp 10 for an automobile (hereinafter referred to as a ‘lamp’). Here, the lamp 10 may include a light source generating and emitting light, a collimator 100 provided in front of the light source, and a lens array 200 provided in front of the light source and the collimator 100. The light, which has been emitted from the light source, is emitted externally via the lens array 200 and may form a predetermined beam pattern P (see FIG. 5).

[0068] Here, the lens array 200 according to the present disclosure may include a plurality of cells 200a provided in the front region of the lens array 200. Also, the plurality of cells 200a may be integrated with each other, and stepped portions S (see FIGS. 3 and 4) may be formed at boundaries between the plurality of cells 200a.

[0069] According to the present disclosure, the productivity and efficiency of the beam pattern may be improved by simplifying the structure of the micro lens array mounted to the automobile when compared to the related art.

[0070] Although the present disclosure has been described with specific exemplary embodiments and drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made by a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains within the technical idea of the present disclosure and equivalent scope of the appended claims.